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Canna lily

iLoveExoticsiLoveExotics Posts: 10
edited November 2021 in Plants
Hi all! I’m sure this has probably been posted already but couldn’t find an easy answer, sorry!

Last year I cut down my cannas and stored them in their existing pots in my shed. This worked well but I noticed they were not as tall and I did not have as many flowers if any from some plants.

I presume this is down to not replanting and splitting (oops). I’m just wondering what the most effective method is for next seasons growth. I’d rather keep them in pots and not pull the rhizomes for storage but happy to change that if it’s more beneficial. I thought I could leave them in their pots again but split/repot them early next year? 

Also can I cut them down now or is it best to wait until the frost gets them?

Thanks in advance!!

Posts

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Hi,
    Just to add another question to make the answer easier, did you change any of the soil they were in? If they stay in the same soil then it's hard to get a great display as they are heavy feeders. So it could be that they just didn't have enough nutrients to put on a great display.

    I tend to pack mine up before the frosts get them so don't let the frost get them. Instead I leave them in their pots to die down naturally, cut off the growth once it's turned brown and then leave them till the spring where I repot in fresh compost and give them a water to get them going.
  • iLoveExoticsiLoveExotics Posts: 10
    Thanks for your post! I did feed them liberally during the growing season with liquid feed, more so than any other plants as I know they are heavy feeders. But yes I did leave them in their existing pots/soil which I guess is where I went wrong  :#
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't worry too much. Get them inside before you have any frost, and then split and/or repot in spring depending on the size they are. Leave the foliage on until it's brown/dead  :)
    They outgrow the containers quite quickly if they're happy, and they need new soil each year to do well. Additional feed alone isn't really enough to ensure a good display.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



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  • iLoveExoticsiLoveExotics Posts: 10
    Hi @Fairygirl - Apologies I thought I had thanked you for your last post, so thank you! Currently in the process of repotting, can I repot massive clumps (with majority of soil and roots removed) if I’m using larger pots or would they still benefit from being separated beforehand? Cheers :smile:
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The clumps can be as large as you like, as long as they are big enough to hold plenty of compost around the tubers. I use plastic buckets for my larger tubers, £1 each from many DIY stores.
    However I do think they do better in the ground, so I often depot them.
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